Hospital Campus

Research Programs and Affiliations

Research Interests

Research

Oncogenic signaling pathways in cellular transformation and apoptosis

Carcinogenesis is a multi-step process that involves activation of proto-oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Gain-of-function mutations in oncogenes are frequently detected in human cancers. Activation of oncogenes plays an important role in cancer development and in altering cellular sensitivities to anti-cancer agents. Research in my laboratory focuses on a number of areas: (1) Cellular kinases signaling in cancer cell proliferation, survival and death; (2) Studying the function and regulation of tumor suppressor RASSF1A; (3) Investigating the role of a novel family of GTPases, RBEL1A, B, C and D in regulation of cell death and proliferation; (4) Investigating the role of a novel growth suppresive lipase in cell growth control and cancer development; (5) Identification and development of novel anticancer agents using traditional Chinese medicines.